Haverhill Councilors Refuse to Advance Bevilacqua Plan to Change Voting Order

Haverhill City Councilor Joseph J. Bevilacqua. (WHAV News file photograph by Jay Saulnier)

Haverhill city councilors did not advance Councilor Joseph J. Bevilacqua’s proposal Tuesday night that the body’s president vote first—perhaps cementing opposition to Bevilacqua becoming president next month.

The top vote-getter in last month’s City Council election floated his proposal to amend City Council rules to change the order of votes taken. Currently the president votes last, but Bevilacqua suggested it would show “leadership” the president voted first during roll calls.

His motion failed to receive a required second from any of his colleagues, killing the proposal for now.

Bevilacqua has appealed to the public to convince his councilors they should uphold tradition that the highest vote recipient be elected president. However, a majority of members have stated they will likely support Councilor Melinda E. Barrett instead.

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